A disabled dad struggling on crutches was duped out of cash by a thief posing as a DIY store worker.

The victim, 52, said he was sickened by the deception as he was targeted in the disabled parking bay at B & Q, Scotswood Road, Newcastle.

Detectives are working with store staff and studying CCTV footage which might help catch the crook.

Today the dad-of-two, from Co Durham, warned other disabled people to be on the look out for the crook in case he strikes again.

"I am shocked by what happened," said the victim, who doesn't want to be identified.

"My wife had driven me to the store on Thursday lunchtime because I wanted to buy some tools and the children were in the car.

"I struggled to get out as I've been disabled since I broke my pelvis in a car crash." The thief had been near the entrance of the store and spoke to a genuine member of staff who had been pushing trolleys back into a bay.

As he saw the victim getting out of his car, the thief approached him and asked if he could assist him.

"He had a name badge on his long-sleeved T-shirt and I thought he was an employee," added the victim.

"He said he could help me by buying the goods I wanted and bringing them out to save me dragging myself in on crutches."

The crook took an amount of cash to cover the cost of the tools the victim wanted to buy.

Minutes later he came out of the store with catalogues and told his disabled victim he could have a look at them while he went back in to get the tools.

"I waited for half an hour and realised he had stolen the money and escaped," added the victim.

"I know, now it was foolish to hand over cash, but I genuinely thought he was a member of staff."

Acting Det Insp Paul Makepeace of Newcastle West End CID said: "This was a particularly cruel theft from a clearly disabled man.

"We are making inquiries at the store.

"I would urge anyone who may have been in the area of the car park shortly before noon on Thursday to get in touch with us as they may have seen the offender."

He is in his 40s, with dark short hair, about 5ft 6in, unshaven and with a Tyneside accent.

He wore a blue long-sleeved T-shirt, light jeans and dark trainers.

NAnyone who can help the inquiry is asked to ring Newcastle West CID on (0191) 214 6555